League Play-Off

estadio da luz
Spectators: 32 (Terracing: 25, Seating: 7, VIP seats: 0) BENFICA's Lázaro Queirós started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Eusébio Morais took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Bernardo Leal, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When Celso Peixoto fell near the penalty area in the 3rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored BENFICA's protests and gave Celso Peixoto a yellow card for diving instead. In the 3rd match minute, BENFICA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Celso Peixoto to maneuver through the defense. Alcobaca's Heitor Esteves got a good chance for a goal in the 4th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Heitor Esteves sent away a hard shot on goal in the 10th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a defensive mix-up in BENFICA's zone, Heitor Esteves stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Eusébio Morais came out of the goal and Heitor Esteves tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After 22 played minutes Alcobaca got a freekick which was hit by André Pires. Salvador Lage's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 33rdth minute, Rafael Castro skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. When Diogo Valente fell near the penalty area in the 34th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Alcobaca's protests and gave Diogo Valente a yellow card for diving instead. BENFICA's Celso Peixoto pulled a muscle in his leg after 39 minutes and couldn't finish the game. After 39 minutes, David Costa mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Alcobaca and the BENFICA players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of BENFICA booed when Alcobaca was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 40 match minutes in a wonderful position. David Costa didn't get a good kick on the ball. A hard shot by Celso Caeiro from long distance, 41 minutes into the match, got Rafael Castro's attention. Through a fast twist with his body, he could stop the ball from going in on his right side. In the 43rd minute, Bernardo Leal left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Alcobaca fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-2. When Alcobaca's Bernardo Leal in the 47th minute got a chance for a shot 47th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye BENFICA's goalie prevented a goal. The crowd was extremely unhappy with the home team's performance in the first half. They were losing 1-2.

If Bernardo Leal had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 52nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 53 minutes into the match, BENFICA's goal looked a bit too open when Heitor Esteves came free, but Eusébio Morais reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Bernardo Leal who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 56thth minute tested the skills of Eusébio Morais when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Rafael Castro made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Salvador Lage in the 60th minute of play. If Bernardo Leal had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 65th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Horácio Gago kicked well hit freekick during the 69th minute of the match. Eusébio Morais made an important save on a dangerous shot by Bernardo Leal in the 70th minute. After having played for 72 minutes, Bernardo Leal managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Alcobaca's supporters crossed their fingers, but Bernardo Leal was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Heitor Esteves sent away a hard shot on goal in the 78th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Alcobaca's Bernardo Leal got a good chance for a goal in the 81st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Heitor Esteves recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 86th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 89 minutes of play Alcobaca's David Costa was too eager in his attempt to stop his opponent and brought him down. With that he got his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. David Costa hit a great freekick 90 minutes into the match. When Gaspar Soares fell near the penalty area in the 93rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Alcobaca's protests and gave Gaspar Soares a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of BENFICA booed when Alcobaca was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 93 match minutes in a wonderful position. Gaspar Soares didn't get a good kick on the ball. Alcobaca played a much better game than BENFICA and deserved their victory. The BENFICA players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.